Support for biomass genomics research

Aims to improve use of biomass and plant feed stocks for the production of fuels

PUBLISHED ON January 22, 2018

The Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy program aims to improve use of biomass and plant feed stocks for the production of fuels such as ethanol or renewable chemical feedstocks. (CenUSA Bioenergy, Flickr/Creative Commons)

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Biological and Environmental Research, announce joint support for research in plant feedstock genomics for bioenergy. NIFA’s support is funded through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), which aims to address challenges in food and agricultural sciences through research, extension, and education.

The Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy(link is external) program aims to improve use of biomass and plant feed stocks for the production of fuels such as ethanol or renewable chemical feedstocks. Research to overcome biological barriers, like resistance and tolerance to disease and weather, to the low-cost, high-quality, scalable, and sustainable production of dedicated bioenergy biomass feedstocks using the tools of genetics and genomics is encouraged.

Eligible applicants include state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, university research foundations, individuals, non-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations.

NIFA reviews all proposals accepted in NIFA’s competitive grant programs through an external peer review process in which a panel of experts from within the respective field in question takes part. Specific details on panel meetings, review formats, and evaluation criteria may vary among programs.

There is up to $6 million in funding available. The deadline for applications is Friday, 20 April, 2018. See the funding opportunity for details.

NIFA’s mission is to invest in and advance agricultural research, education, and extension to solve societal challenges. NIFA’s investments in transformative science directly support the long-term prosperity and global preeminence of U.S. agriculture. To learn more about NIFA’s impact on agricultural sciences, visit www.nifa.usda.gov/Impacts, sign up for email updates, or follow us on Twitter @USDA_NIFA, #NIFAImpacts.